HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
+ 2 further entries on record
Railroad hotel originating in 1882 with Tudor-style alterations in 1937-38, now a Hilton Curio property — the Lady in Black in Victorian mourning dress has been seen on its staircases for over a century
110 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24016
Research updated August 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$$
Hotel room rates vary; restaurant and bar open to non-guests
Access
Wheelchair OK
Full-service hotel with elevator access throughout
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1882 · National Register of Historic Places (1996) · Norfolk and Western Railway Heritage · Six U.S. Presidents as Guests · 1937-38 Tudor-style Alterations · Virginia Tech Ownership
Roanoke was a small crossroads village called Big Lick until 1881, when the Shenandoah Valley Railroad and the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad merged to form the Norfolk and Western Railway, choosing the site as its headquarters and repair complex. The company built the Hotel Roanoke in 1882 to house railway executives, business visitors, and travelers passing through what became one of the South's most important rail junctions.
The original structure was a wood-frame building. A new main wing was added to the western side in 1890, followed by another in 1898. In the major alterations of 1937-38, Hotel Roanoke acquired its distinctive facade and entrance, along with new public rooms. The East wing was demolished and replaced in 1946. The hotel's distinctive half-timbered facade, with dark wood against cream stucco, became the visual signature of Roanoke's downtown.
At its peak, the hotel was the center of Roanoke society. Six U.S. presidents stayed here while in office or before: Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were among non-political guests. In 1964, Mahalia Jackson became the first Black guest to stay at the hotel following desegregation.
The Norfolk and Western Railway's successor company, Norfolk Southern, closed the hotel in 1989. The 'Renew Roanoke' campaign raised funds for a $28 million restoration completed in 1995. Virginia Tech acquired the property; it opened as a Doubletree and later joined the Hilton Curio Collection in 2016. The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1996.
Sources
The Lady in Black has appeared in accounts from Hotel Roanoke going back decades. Descriptions are consistent: a woman in Victorian-era black clothing, the kind associated with widow's mourning dress, seen moving along hallways or near staircases. Her identity is unknown; the accounts do not connect her to a documented death at the property. What distinguishes the reports is the witnesses' description of her demeanor — multiple people describe not feeling frightened, and one account involves a guest who fell ill reporting the sensation of a woman sitting at the edge of the bed and gently stroking their hair before the figure vanished.
The ballroom remodeled in the 1937-38 alterations is the other primary location. Reports describe shadowy figures moving near the windows and back walls, disappearing when approached directly. Visitors describe sudden cold areas despite the hotel's climate control systems, particularly near the stage. The ornate ballroom was used for Virginia society events for decades; the specific origins of the reported phenomena are not documented in historical records.
The basement and former boiler room generate a separate category of reports. Staff have described an oppressive feeling in the area, metal clanging with no mechanical source, and rushes of cold air in a space that should be warm. Paranormal investigators have reported capturing EVP recordings in the area.
The hotel does not market itself as a ghost destination and no structured paranormal programming is offered. Reports circulate primarily through paranormal research publications and regional history writing.
Notable Entities
Media Appearances
The Hotel Roanoke operates as a full-service hotel under the Hilton Curio Collection. Guests stay in the historic Tudor Revival building on the National Register of Historic Places, which hosted six U.S. presidents. No dedicated paranormal programming is offered; reported phenomena occur throughout regular guest stays.
The 1882 Lobby Bar seating is first come first served and cannot be reserved. The hotel's public spaces — including the grand lobby, the Regency Room restaurant, and the ballroom — are accessible to non-guests for dining and drinks. The ornate ballroom, remodeled during the 1937-38 alterations and one of the most frequently reported paranormal areas, can be seen during events.
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